RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

RELIGIOUS LIFE OF OUR SCHOOL

Catholic Education in the Diocese of Rockhampton has adopted the model and content of the Archdiocese of Brisbane Religious Education curriculum. This curriculum recognizes the teaching of Religion is interrelated to the Religious Life of the School (RLoS) and both facets complement one another. The four components for the Religious Life of the School are : Religious Identity and Culture; Social Action and Justice; Prayer and Worship; Evangelisation and Formation.  At St Joseph’s Clermont, we address these four components the following way:

 

RELIGIOUS IDENTITY & CULTURE

We regard our two patron saints (St Joseph & St Mary of the Cross) with high importance throughout the year.  We celebrate their feast days (St Joseph – 19th March and St Mary of the Cross – 8th August) with whole school mass and celebrations We have several prayer spaces around the school which are always kept respectfully tidy and children are invited to reverently pray in these areas. 

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SOCIAL ACTION & JUSTICE

Our student council consists of students from Years 3-6 who meet each term to discuss matters pertaining to school life as well as local and global concerns.  Students then have an opportunity to facilitate and participate in social action and justice activities and initiatives.  Some successful projects include: donating to Caritas and Catholic missions to help global aid; hosting a senior citizens morning tea to encourage students to use their gifts and talents to serve others; containers for change initiative to reduce waste and to care for the environment.

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PRAYER & WORSHIP

There are many opportunities for students to pray daily at St Joseph’s.  We invite all students to join in our school prayer during assemblies.  All families are warmly invited to join in weekend mass and each term, students have the opportunity to lead mass by reading or leading the parishioners in prayer.  Each class is also rostered to present a prayer assembly each term during Friday’s assembly.  Prayer assemblies normally complement the religious content being taught in their classrooms.  Classes will also visit the church each term to participate in Wednesday mass with the parish and parish priest.  Thursday morning prayer is held in the prayer space where students are invited to attend and pray together.  Students will also become familiar with traditional prayers through the month of October, when the whole school joins together to pray the rosary.

 

EVANGELISATION & FORMATION

Our school continues to carry the gospel message through the Making Jesus Real (MJR) program.  Students meet with their MJR groups (which are multi-aged groups) fortnightly to work through MJR activities reflecting on their actions and attitudes. 

Students, teachers and parents are also encouraged to utilise the MJR award box where they can name a student, teacher or parent showing these gospel attitudes through their kind words and actions.  These awards are then presented at Friday’s assembly. 

The faith formation of teachers is also of high importance, and many programs and faith led groups are promoted and attendance is encouraged.

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SACRAMENTS

Parents are the first and major educators of their children in the formation of faith. The preparation of children for the Sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist and Reconciliation is the responsibility of parents. The school continues to teach the knowledge of the sacraments through the classroom religious education curriculum. However, the preparation programs are the responsibility of individual parents and are facilitated through the parish. 

The approximate year levels for the reception of the sacraments are:

• Reconciliation - Year 3

• Confirmation/Eucharist - Year 4

CURRICULUM

The classroom teaching and learning of religion.

Catholic Education in the Diocese of Rockhampton has adopted the model and content of the Archdiocese of Brisbane Religious Education curriculum. Open dialogue based on students’ personal experiences, the catholic tradition and cultural context is strongly encouraged in the classroom. The four interrelated strands of the Religious Education Curriculum are:

• Sacred texts

• Beliefs

• Christian Life

• Church

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